Memory Foam vs. Latex: What's the Difference?

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November 13, 2024

Key Takeaways

Memory Foam and Latex Qualities: Memory foam and latex mattresses share similar qualities, such as body-contouring, pressure relief, motion isolation, and minimal noise potential. They are both excellent choices for couples, athletes, and individuals with back pain concerns.
Understanding Memory Foam: Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam, was initially developed by NASA in the 1960s and made its way into mattresses in the early 1990s. It is a dense and viscous material that softens with body weight and heat, conforming to the body’s contours for pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses consist of comfort and support layers, naturally offering hypoallergenic properties. However, some potential drawbacks include the risk of overheating and off-gassing odors.
Understanding Latex: Latex mattresses offer qualities similar to memory foam, such as pressure relief, motion isolation, and silent sleep, but with notable differences. Latex provides a cooler sleep experience and possesses a responsive bounce. There are two primary types of latex: synthetic and natural. Synthetic latex is less durable and may have a stronger off-gassing potential, while natural latex, derived from rubber tree sap, is hypoallergenic and comes in Dunlop and Talalay forms.

Memory foam and latex share similar properties —body-contouring, pressure relief, motion isolation, and little to no noise potential. Both types of mattresses are excellent choices for couples, athletes, and back pain sufferers.

We share details and features that distinguish each type of mattress, including benefits and drawbacks so you can decide which type is the best mattress for you.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory foam, or viscoelastic polyurethane foam, was created by NASA in the 60s and first appeared in mattresses in the early 90s. Memory foam is a polyurethane foam treated with petrochemicals for a denser and more viscous material.

Body weight and heat softens memory foam, causing it to form around the body’s natural curves for pressure point relief. Once weight is removed, memory foam goes back to its original shape.

Memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic, preventing dust mites and other allergens from invading the mattress and irritating allergies.

Structure

A typical memory foam mattress contains a comfort layer of memory foam and a support layer of high-density foam. Memory foam mattresses weigh between 80 pounds to 100 pounds for a queen size.

Lifespan

Memory foam beds last between 7 to 9 years.

Average Cost

The average cost of a queen size memory foam mattress is $1044.

Pros

Contouring close to the body for pressure relief
Motion isolation
Sleeps silently
Hypoallergenic

Cons

Risk of overheating
Off-gassing odor
Feeling “stuck”

Types of Memory Foam

Traditional memory foam has a high risk of overheating because of its dense structure and lack of airflow. To combat this, mattress manufacturers incorporate cooling features like gel, copper, and graphite in their memory foams. Some memory foam mattress brands also choose to use plant-based memory foam which is more porous and breathable.

Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam contains either liquid gel or gel beads, that have been mixed in or swirled into traditional memory foam during the manufacturing process. Cooling gels absorb and disperse body heat to regulate temperature.

Plant-based

During the manufacturing process, plant-based oils partially replace petroleum to produce a breathable, more responsive memory foam. This type of memory foam has little to no VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions.

Open-cell

Injecting large amounts of air into memory foam creates an open cell structure with more air pockets, allowing better air circulation inside the mattress.

Copper and Graphite Infusions

Copper and graphite are natural conductors of heat. Copper-infused memory foam pulls heat away from the body and may improve local blood flow.

Graphite is normally used to cool down high-powered machines, like PCs. Graphite-infused memory foam draws heat away from the body.

Best Memory Foam Mattress: Zoma Mattress

Price: $499-$1198
Mattress Type: Memory Foam
Mattress Height: 12 inches
Firmness: Medium (5 to 6 on the firmness scale)
Best for hot sleepers and people with active lifestyles
Available in twin, twin XL, full (double), queen, king, California king, and split king

Warranty

10 Years

Sleep Trial

100 Nights

Shipping

Free

Recommended For

Hot sleepers
Back, side, and combination sleepers
Athletes and other sleepers seeking deeper sleep

Mattress Highlights

Gel infusions move heat away from the body
Buoyant transition layer helps the bed react to movements
Durable base foam helps the mattress withstand years of use

Save $150 on the Zoma Mattress with our discount code.

Claim Deal

The Zoma Mattress has quite a few features that set it apart from the typical run-of-the-mill memory foam mattress or other gel memory foam beds. With its responsive, durable foams and cooling features, the Zoma Mattress is designed to help you sleep longer for better rest and recovery.

The top layer of gel memory foam features Triangulex™ technology, with triangular cutouts placed in the head, shoulder, and leg sections. By covering roughly two-thirds of the mattress, these cutouts increase pressure relief to sensitive areas while allowing the middle of the bed to focus on back support.

The mattress’s transition layer is named Reactiv™ for its responsiveness, making it easy for sleepers lie down without sinking too far and move across the surface when they want to get out of bed. At the base of the mattress is Support+ foam, engineered to increase the bed’s overall durability.

The Zoma Mattress comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty.

What is Latex?

Latex was first introduced in mattresses in 1931. Similar to memory foam, latex conforms to the body to relieve pressure points, restricts motion transfer, and sleeps silently. The difference is latex sleeps cooler and has a responsive bounce. There are two types of latex —synthetic and natural.

Synthetic latex foam is created through a chemical process, using petrochemicals to mimic the properties of a natural latex mattress, except it’s less durable with higher off-gassing potential.

Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap. Two forms of natural latex are Dunlop and Talalay. Dunlop latex contains 100% natural latex and is denser and more durable than Talalay. During the Talalay process, polyurethane fillers are added to natural latex foam to create its signature soft, sponge-like feel.

Both types of latex are hypoallergenic, so sleepers won’t have to worry about dust mites and allergens getting into the mattress. However, organic latex mattresses are the most durable, potentially lasting decades.